New Arcade Replaces Outback Adventures Store

A new arcade room replaced Outback Adventures Surf Shop in Price Center West at the beginning of fall quarter.

The arcade, which is free, is open 24/7 and features an air hockey table, Rave Racing, Strike Fighter, and Ms. Pac-Man. The arcade also has several multicades, which come with multiple games available for play, including Galaga, Ms. Pac-Man, and Donkey Kong. Some of the consoles have multiplayer capabilities as well.

“It’s nice because I played some arcade games growing up…my mom worked in an arcade as a manager,” said Christopher Converse, a third year Math and Computer Science major. “My favorite part is the air hockey.”

There is also a wall of vending machines that carry a variety of foods, such as Hot Pockets, sandwiches, salads, and sweets, as well as drinks like bottled water, soda, Gatorade, and Monster. A hydration station for filling water bottles is in the back.

“I think it’s definitely a good place for people to come hang out and get away from school, have some fun, and meet new people too,” said Aliah Sweiss, a fifth year Computer Science major.

Outback Surf Shop, which closed on May 31 2017, was housed in the space from 2009 to 2017. In June 2017, the Disability Student Alliance unofficially requested the space be used as a Disability Resource Center, but was told by University Centers Director John Payne that many groups were interested in the newly vacated space and the University Centers Advisory Board (UCAB) had not yet made a decision.

Ashley Awe, Chair of the University Centers Advisory Board, said that the space is intended to be temporary, but that UCAB has yet to find a vendor to replace Outback Adventures and will be discussing proposals in the upcoming weeks.

Ethan Coston is a contributing writer for The Triton.